Archive for December 17th, 2007
December 17th, 2007
It’s amazing that in this age of getting things faster and faster with fast food, high-speed internet, e-mail, self-checkouts, etc., a nice cup of coffee can be extremely appreciated. I had the opportunity to sit down with a buddy of mine at a local Starbuck’s and have a real, mostly in-depth and thought provoking conversation. It was a spur of the moment decision at the end of shift where I work to go to Starbuck’s. I ordered a Grande Mocha Frappuccino, which is what I order every single time I go anywhere that serves them, figuring that I’d be there for as long as it took me to drink it (which is not long). The reason I thought this because I have not known the gentlemen I was with for very long and I’m notoriously private with people I don’t know very well. The conversation that transpired inspired me to complete two songs that I have been wanting to finish for some time.
I’ve been trying to set some lyrics to a couple of guitar harmonies that I really like and have had for awhile. So finally, I’m done. The lyrics have been written and finalized. I have a show on January 11th and as long as I can memorize these lyrics in time I will play the two songs for the very first time during that set. I’m excited to once again play at the ELB and it’s always a joy to visit Steve. Darkhouse Productions will be there recording my set for an eventual ‘live’ album. I hope to see you there.
December 17th, 2007
One of the recurring themes of Webcomics is that you can talk more frankly and honestly online than you often can in print. Webcomics don’t need to speak in euphamisms, unlike print comics like Dilbert. And they don’t have to shy away from adult themes and mature topics, watering down dating experiences to Garfield like chaste disasters or Beetle Bailey style objectifications of women and the simple-minded men who ogle them. Webcomics allow characters to talk like people and have real experiences.
And then add in talking alcoholic cactuses.
Girls with Slingshots, written and drawn by Danielle Corsetto, is a joke-a-day webcomic that captures life through the eyes of several twenty-something women living in the city and dealing with the day to day cycle of work, bars, apartments, bills and dating. The main characters are Hazel, a cynical freelance writer who is often short on cash and frustrated in relationships, and her friend Jamie, Hazel’s optimistic friend who works at a flower shop and isn’t afraid of sharing her opinion or having a good time. The strip follows these two and their friends as they deal with dating, bad advice, adult bookstores, bad hair days and using the internet to be social.
While earlier strips were more artistic, the latter more traditional comic artwork still captures these friends with, in some cases, very realistic backgrounds with achingly honest dialogue. An extensive cast page can bring new readers up to speed with a quick who’s who, but the archives aren’t so deep that you can’t read from the beginning in a short amount of time.
In your daily search for something new, edgy and honest to read as you kill those last five minutes before leaving the office for the night, make a point to check out www.girlswithslingshots.com
December 17th, 2007
Featuring Christina Applegate (“Married with Children”, “Anchorman”), Samantha Who’s titular character emerges sweet and kind natured after an amnesia-causing accident, only to find her previous self wasn’t extremely well-liked, or remotely well-natured. Applegate does extremely well in the role of Samantha, who now must re-discover and re-invent every part of her life she worked so hard to create. There’s only one problem – the show seems to be missing a large chunk of its time slot just as Samantha seems to be missing a large block of her memory. A show like this really feels like it belongs in the hour-long format. In particular, certain characters, like the reoccurring doorman Frank (Tim Russ), feel too rushed and too random. Still, Samantha Who is funny and fresh – and that says a lot these days. Samantha Who airs Monday at 8:30 P.M.
December 17th, 2007
Though “sitcom” might stand for situation comedy, there’s nothing in the definition which indicates sitcoms have to be linear. It’s worked in the past for quite a few successful hits, including the British “Coupling,”, and with sitcoms losing ground to reality TV as well as more serialized fare, it takes something wildly different to make waves. “How I Met Your Mother” tells the story of Ted’s love life in reverse, as an older Ted (Bob Saget) narrates the events that lead to his younger counterpart (Josh Radnor) meeting his future beloved. Signature performances from familiar faces Alyson Hannigan (”Buffy”, “American Pie”) and Neil Patrick Harris (”Doogie Howser”, “Harold & Kumar”) spice up the action, while solid and intricate writing craft a sitcom as evenly focused on Ted as all the other memorable characters. “How I Met Your Mother” airs at 7:00.
